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February 11, 2010

WORKFORCE FLORIDA GRANT GIVES ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES A STRONGER ARM IN THE INDUSTRY

PENSACOLA, Fla. – Armstrong World Industries, with help from the Pensacola Bay Area Chamber of Commerce, recently received a $50,000 incumbent worker training grant from Workforce Florida to train 60 of its existing employees.

Armstrong World Industries, which manufactures commercial and residential ceiling tiles, currently employs 300 locally. The grant allows them to train 60 full-time employees in the electrician department, who represent 20 percent of the staff.

The incumbent worker training program has provided customized training for more than 500 businesses throughout the state of Florida since it was established in 1999. Through this program, Florida is able to retain and assist in keeping businesses competitive through skills upgrade training for existing employees.

“The Chamber’s grant program has allowed Escambia County’s existing companies to stay competitive by improving the skills of their workforce,” said Kara Melendez, manager of existing business and workforce services at the Pensacola Chamber. “Armstrong’s training program will be a vital component of the company’s overall employee development efforts, making the Pensacola location more successful.”

Each year, the Pensacola Chamber works with 100 existing businesses to help them with needs such as workforce training, expansion assistance and international trade.

If you know of a company that would benefit from this type of assistance, please e-mail Kara Melendez at kmelendez@pensacolachamber.com.